Spanish GP organisers ask for ‘urgent’ help to save race

The organisers of the Spanish Grand Prix have requested assistance from the government to help save the Formula 1 race in Barcelona, saying a solution is required “urgently”.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been a mainstay on the F1 calendar since 1991, but hosted the final race under its existing contract earlier this month.

Spanish GP organisers ask for ‘urgent’ help to save race

The organisers of the Spanish Grand Prix have requested assistance from the government to help save the Formula 1 race in Barcelona, saying a solution is required “urgently”.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been a mainstay on the F1 calendar since 1991, but hosted the final race under its existing contract earlier this month.

With the addition of races in the Netherlands and Vietnam for 2020, two existing rounds are widely expected to drop off the schedule, with Spain seemingly the most likely event not to return.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Reial Automòbil Club de Catalunya (RACC) called on every effort to be made to help save the grand prix, stressing the wider economic impact of the race.

“The RACC asks all administrations and the business world to unite in order to achieve the renewal of the Formula 1 race, and thus be able to keep one of our country’s most important sporting events,” the statement reads.

“The club considers the continuity of the F1 grand prix in Catalonia as a strategic decision at the business, economic and sports levels, and for that reason, the best solution must be found urgently.

“The grand prix has an economic impact on the services, the automotive sector, the tourism, transportation and leisure of around €163 million, and generates 2,700 jobs.

“For all this, the RACC, club organiser of the F1 championship race with more than 50 years of history in front of his competition in our country, asks the government of the generalitat [of Catalonia], the Spanish state, the rest of the administrations, and the business world for collaboration, consensus, solidarity and unity of action to reach a stable agreement for such that in the next few years, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will continue to host F1.”

Despite the addition of two new races to the calendar for 2020, F1 CEO Chase Carey said earlier this month he expected the schedule to remain at its current state of 21 rounds.

The revived Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is expected to take a slot in early May, but efforts are being made to keep a weekend open for the Spanish Grand Prix if it can be saved.

Vietnam is due to take up a date in April, joining the early swing of flyaway races at the start of the season.

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